Traffic stop leads to drug arrest in Lenoir County

A traffic stop for an expired registration plate for the driver of a vehicle resulted in the arrest of the passenger by Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office deputies for multiple drug charges.

On Saturday, B-Shift patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on N.C. 11 near South Lenoir Drive due to an expired North Carolina 30-day registration plate. During the stop, it was discovered that the driver, Ricky Lynn Moody, 50, of Kinston, had a suspended driver’s license, expired registration and expired inspection. Moody was issued citations for those issues.

Moody’s passenger — Steven Harrell, 49, of Deep Run — was found to have two outstanding orders for arrest (OFA) from Duplin County for possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon.

A K-9 search of the vehicle led to the discovery of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Harrell was arrested and transported to the Lenoir County Magistrate’s Office for processing. He was charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine

• Possession of marijuana

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Harrell was placed on a no-bond pretrial release hold for those charges.

Additionally, he was served with the OFAs from Duplin County with a $40,000 secured bond for the possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a felon charges.